Sleigh brake



Patented Nov. 7, 1933 SLEIGH BRAKE Harry Gordon, Duluth, Minn.

Application February 3,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to sleigh brakes, and has special reference to such a device particularly adapted to use on hand sleighs or sleds} the principal object being to provide a dependable and positive brake, and one that may be applied in the most convenient manner possible.

Another object is to provide such a brake that when applied will not tend to divert the sleigh from its normal course.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, and wherein like reference characters indicate line parts:

Figure 1 is an isometric perspective view of the front end of a hand sled with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto; and

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the forward end of the sled equipped with a modified form of the invention.

1 represents the runners of the sleigh or sled, and 2 the side raves thereof,.while 3 represents the bolster. As a knee or bracket for supporting the raves above the runners I have shown the same as constructed of a piece of round iron, indicated at 4, the rearmost portion of which may be of some other shape if so desired, but the forward portion is preferably round and considerably inclined downwardly and forwardly as illustrated, or, if preferred, the inclined rod 4 may be wholly independent of the knee as employed in the ordinary sled.

Upon these two inclined rods 4 is mounted the brake beam which in the embodiment here shown comprises a fiat piece of metal, bent at substantially right angles as illustrated in Figure 1, and

comprising the wing-like tread termini 5, which extends laterally beyond either side of the sled and slidably mounted upon the supporting rods 4, and the downwardly and forwardly inclined central shoe portion 6. This latter is preferably of U-shape and so positioned that the rearmost lower edge first engages the ground as braking means when the shoe is forced downwardly for such purpose, functioning much as the sharp edge of a skate is used for quickly stopping the forward motion of a skater on the ice, and being arcuate in shape normally first engages the central portion thereof, thus not diverting the sled from its course.

To insure uniform sliding action of the two extremities of the brake shoe on the rods 4 I have provided a sleeve like bearing '7 fixed to each extremity and mounted upon their respective rods, thus insuring uniform vertical motion of same. About these sleeves, as well as the rods,

are mounted suitably shaped expansive helical.

springs 8, the lower ends of which impinge against the upper face of the runner 1 of the sleigh, thus normally urging the brake shoe towards its 1932. Serial No. 590,575

uppermost position upon the rods which keeps it out of the way, and forming no obstruction to the normal functioning of the sleigh.

It is obvious that the extremities 5 of the brake shoe may be of any desired shape either to fit the foot or hand or both, as shown, they being conveniently positioned for application by hand, provided the user is riding the sled on his belly, or by the feet, if sitting upright on same during the coasting process.

It is found that when a brake shoe of this construction is in operation there is a tendency to throw into the air in front of the operator the snow or ice, and to prevent same becoming objectionable the cover board of the sled must be of suflicient length and extend forwardly as indicated at 9.

In Figure 2 I have illustrated a somewhat modified form of shoe, the central rod engaging portion being arched backwardly and downwardly as at 18, and the spring for retracting same applied somewhat differently as at 11, though the general functioning of the device is similar, and this construction may overcome materially the objection of throwing snow and ice upwardly in the face of the rider.

Various other modifications of the structure here illustrated may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A sleigh brake comprising an inclined support fixed to either side of the sleigh, a brake shoe disposed transverse the sleigh and slidably carried upon the supports, and resilient means 9 cooperatively connected with the shoe for holding same in inactive position.

2. A sleigh brake comprising an inclined support fixed to either side of the sleigh, abrake shoe disposed 'transverse the sleigh and slidably carried upon the supports, and resilient means cooperatively connected with the shoe for holding same in inactive position, said shoe further characterized by being operable from outwardly of either side of the sleigh.

3. The combination with a sleigh including J" runners and raves, of an inclined bar attached to the runner and rave upon either side 'of the sleigh, a brake shoe slidably mounted upon said bars and projecting beyond either side of the sleigh for actuating the same, and resilient means for holding the brake shoe in inactive position. HARRY GORDON. 

